If you would like to see an article regarding potential gang activity in AThens, see http://www.onlineathens.com TODAY 8/11/09. There is an article about two recent violent crimes, both of which may or may not have been gang related, according to ACCPD. Some of what you seek is there. Read the comments section, too. This will be very informative. FYI I work in a field where I deal with this issue daily - crime.

They're everywhere, they're everywhere. Intiations are conducted Monday through Saturday at changing locations, with admittance by secret password. Call the local Athens police department for specific statistics on a specific street or address. The City Marshall can also give you informationl

You can also get an idea of where they are active by looking at the graffiti and counter graffiti on signs, buildings, and streets. The local gangs seem to be active regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, handicap status, familial status or property price range. However, with a new attitude of cracking down on their activities, new police substations and more visible mutlilingual police officers, who are being trained to crack down on this type menace, its still a safe community, by most standards. Even gangs know that the local population is heavily armed and stonge practitioners of the 2nd Amendment. They know where it is safer to play and do not seem to want to venture out into the community as a whole, due to possible deadly side effects. Whether breaking into Farmer John or Professor Jill's house, you could get shot or seriously hurt as a gang member.

Is this a real estate related question or not? My first response would be to ask if you found a gang would this be a positive thing for you or a negative? Is this an "amenity" you desire in a neighborhood like an HOA? I would take Bob's advice and go to the police department to ask those types of questions. I would also refer you to a website, http://www.FamilyWatchDog.us.

For questions regarding crime in any community, not just Athens, go to the police department and ask specific questions about an address or neighborhood you may be interested in. Over all Athens is a great place to live. I moved back to Athens 20 years ago for the purpose of raising children in this fine community.

They're all over Athens. The public housing is not located in any one area, it is spread throughout the community. I thought that was a neat concept when I first moved here, but now that I see that you can't escape crime no matter where you live in Athens, I don't think it's such a great idea after all. If you move here, find all the locations of the public housing before you do.

Hi Joyce:
A little later with my response but would like you to visit:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Athens-Georgia.html

I love this site for all the statistical data it provides as well as the location and direction of other cities close to it. Statistics range from schools to crime and all points in between. The beauty of the site includes comments from residents.

Best part is you can ask the residents any question you like and more than likely will get a response - straight from the source. This will keep you from having to walk the city streets looking for an honest opinion!! Saves time and tread on your shoes!

There are a few great resources around. I think it is best to contact your Community Resource Officer or CRO at the police department. Just call the main non-emergency number and ask to be connected to the CRO. They’re normally very aware of the good and bad areas of the area and can normally give you local statistics. You can also check out http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ which provides stats based on the FBI uniform crime reports. You might also visit the FBI stats site at http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius. Another place to checkout is http://www.Crimeweb.net . Hope this is of you to you.

I would direct any questions regarding crime and crime statistics to the local police department. Addressing "good" and "bad" areas in regard to purchasing Real Estate is a dangerous topic for a REALTOR. It can be considered steering, which is forbidden under the Fair Housing guideines. I imagine that you would not have much trouble finding the local PD online where the statistics you seek are available. Good luck.